Determination of equine deep digital flexor muscle volume based on distances between anatomical landmarks

• Published in: Research in veterinary science Vol. 97; no. 2; pp. 397 - 399
• Main Authors: Hardeman, L.C., van der Meij, B.R., Lamers, A.A.H., van der Kolk, J.H., Back, W., Wijnberg, I.D.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.10.2014; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Animals; Botox; Botulinum Toxins, Type A - therapeutic use; Cadaver; deep digital flexor; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Drug dosages; equine; Extremities - anatomy & histology; Horses; Horses - anatomy & histology; Humans; laminitis; Landmarks; Mathematics - methods; Medicine; muscle volume; Muscle, Skeletal - anatomy & histology; Olecranon Process - anatomy & histology; Organ Size; Studies; Ulna - anatomy & histology; Veterinary medicine; deep digital flexor; muscle volume; laminitis; Botox; equine
• ISSN: 0034-5288; 1532-2661
• DOI: 10.1016/j.rvsc.2014.08.006

•A formula was determined enabling estimating equine DDF muscle volume.•Line best fitting observed points: Ln(volume[ml]) = −1.89 + 0.98 × Ln(value C[cm3]).•The estimated volume can be useful to apply human Botox® treatment-protocols. In equine medicine the use of Botox® is experimental. Dosages are determined from human treatment-protocols and limited numbers of equine studies. Determination of target-muscle volume can be helpful to extrapolate human dosages. The aim of the study was to calculate a formula enabling the estimation of the deep digital flexor muscle (DDFM) volume based on distances between anatomical landmarks. Nineteen cadaveric limbs were collected and distance A (top of olecranon to Os carpi accessorium) and B (circumference of limb) were measured. Converting mathematical formulas, C was calculated: π × (((0.5B)/π)2) × A. DDFM volume was determined by water displacement. Linear Regression Analysis was used to analyse data. The line best fitting the observed points was: Ln(volume[ml]) = −1.89 + 0.98 × Ln(value C[cm3]). Correlation was highest when natural logarithm was applied to both variables and was 0.97. The calculated formula enables estimating DDFM volume of a living horse. This estimated volume can be useful to apply human Botox® treatment-protocols.